Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2021 - SA 325 J100

Political Sociology (S) (4)

Class Number: 5554

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 11 – Apr 16, 2021: Mon, 5:30–9:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    May Hen-Smith
    mhen@sfu.ca
    Office Hours: Mo 16:30-17:30 via Zoom

  • Prerequisites:

    SA 101 or 150 or 201W.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An examination of the relations of power and authority. This course will analyze the interrelations of family, church, class, interest groups, etc., particularly as they influence and are influenced by the state. The relations of law and ideology to the structures of government will form the context for this analysis. The course may also focus on broad theoretical questions of contemporary political interest.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course examines the relationship between citizens, states and institutions at local, national and transnational levels. The course intends to engage with concepts in political sociology against contemporary issues in modern society. Each week will focus on a selection of readings designed to broaden our conceptual analysis of what it means to be sociological in a highly stratified, complex and opaque system of political conditions. Students will develop a better awareness of a broad range of contemporary politics faced by states and produce a comparative analysis of general themes covered in the course. Some topics covered include: defining the modern state, elite theories and politics of the state, Marxist theories of politics and the state and corporatist regimes. We will also look at why coordinated attempts to address global problems in relation to the environment, tax evasion, trade, nuclear and arms reduction and health governance, succeed or fail. We will gain a practical understanding of the major institutions and organizations governing global affairs and the inverse; how local citizens and local affairs affect the global.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  1. Describe and identify general concepts in political sociology
  2. Develop a critical understanding of contemporary issues in finance, international organizations, migration, civil society, environment, globalization and colonialism
  3. Understand issues related to social, political and state powers and connect historical conditions to present-day institutional tensions between citizen and state
  4. Engage with critical debates around the role of international organizations, states and citizenship applied to various social contexts

Grading

  • Weekly seminar participation and peer evaluation 20%
  • Weekly written reflections 15%
  • Research proposal 15%
  • Research paper first draft 20%
  • Final paper 30%

NOTES:

Grading: Where a final exam is scheduled and the student does not write the exam or withdraw from the course before the deadline date, an N grade will be assigned. Unless otherwise specified on the course syllabus, all graded assignments for this course must be completed for a final grade other than N to be assigned. An N is considered as an F for the purposes of scholastic standing.

Grading System: The Undergraduate Course Grading System is as follows:

A+ (95-100) | A (90-94) | A- (85-89) | B+ (80-84) | B (75-79) | B- (70-74) | C+ (65-69) | C (60-64) | C- (55-59) | D (50-54) | F (0-49) | N*
*N standing to indicate the student did not complete course requirements

Academic Dishonesty and Misconduct Policy: The Department of Sociology & Anthropology follows SFU policy in relation to grading practices, grade appeals (Policy T 20.01) and academic dishonesty and misconduct procedures (S10.01‐S10.04). Unless otherwise informed by your instructor in writing, in graded written assignments you must cite the sources you rely on and include a bibliography/list of references, following an instructor-approved citation style.  It is the responsibility of students to inform themselves of the content of SFU policies available on the SFU website.

Centre for Accessible Learning: Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need classroom or exam accommodations are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (1250 Maggie Benston Centre) as soon as possible to ensure that they are eligible and that approved accommodations and services are implemented in a timely fashion.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

All readings will be available through Canvas, the SFU Library, or otherwise online as noted.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN SPRING 2021

Teaching at SFU in spring 2021 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).